Minn. hospital, ex-nurse, Zenner, sued over siphoned drugs

Zenner pleaded guilty to stealing the painkiller medication and has surrendered his nursing license.

Associated Press

Four former patients are suing St. Cloud Hospital and a former nurse who admitted siphoning pain medication from IV bags for personal use.

The former patients accuse the hospital and former nurse Blake Zenner of negligence. The lawsuits in Stearns County court allege the four patients developed bloodstream infections because of Zenner's drug diversion that led to high fevers and pain.

St. Cloud Hospital spokeswoman Jeanine Nistler tells the St. Cloud Times (http://on.sctimes.com/11Qu6Eg ) the four patients who are suing opted not to meet with the hospital and to pursue legal action instead.

Nistler says the hospital believes no patients were substantially harmed by the drug diversion.

Zenner pleaded guilty to stealing the painkiller medication and has surrendered his nursing license. His attorney says Zenner is working to resolve the lawsuits.

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